Carrying Your Paperwork

[David Lowenstein]

Yesterday afternoon I hauled my TT-R250 and CRF-250X in my pickup, up to a friend's place in Pasadena MD, for a maintenance session.  I got back to DC about 9PM last night, and as I was coming down 16th Street I got pulled over by DC Metro Police.  I was certain I hadn't done anything wrong.  Got my license/registration out for the officer - he asked where I was coming from/going to, and if I had paperwork on the bikes.  I told him I didn't have the paperwork with me, but could get it quickly at my house only a few blocks away.  He told me that they are on the lookout for thieves as there have been a rash of stolen dirtbikes lately.

He obviously decided I was legitimate, and I told him I'd been reading about the thefts on the local listservs over the last few months and actually really appreciated his vigilance on our behalf.   So it was a friendly exchange and he sent me on my way, but the lesson I took away is to try and keep some paperwork with me when I haul the bikes around, to quickly demonstrate my ownership.

Dave

[twolanefun]

Hmm, no plates/registration, so what kind of paperwork would you have, cause carying around a title does not seem like a good idea. In most states I believe they can run the frame number and it should come up with your name? I know during Bike Week at Daytona for last 3-4 years they have been doing that. - Gene

[David Lowenstein]

I just made copies of titles (or Certificate of Origin, for the bikes with no titles), and put them in with my truck registration.  Obviously some risk in this as well, but it's very rare that I leave the truck unattended with bikes in the bed.

Dave

[Curmudgeon]

No clue about DC but in VA the cops can pull up every plate and VIN you own in seconds from the bar code on your license on their little laptop. Same was true in NJ when I lived/worked there..., so maybe it's universal now?

[David Lowenstein]

That works for the bikes with titles, but in many cases you can't get a title for an off-road-only bike (only a Certificate of Origin).  For example, neither of my Hondas (CRF-250X; CRF-150F) have titles.  The CofO is not tied to your license or identity in any way.

Dave

[twolanefun]

Yes and one of the reasons it's hard to check, catch theft of these bikes, the frame and/or engine number has to be reported as stolen. - Gene

[Curmudgeon]

Interesting issue you raise!

Technically, unless you are a dealer, that MSO is proof of ownership only if the assignment to you is notarized and accompanied by a tax stamp. Many states will issue a "title only" with those documents and will retain the MSO. If you bought the bike out of state though, I doubt you'd care to pay the local tax. 

[extra330]

So let's say your interaction that evening with the police when a little further. Would you have permitted the LEO to, lets say take a look inside your vehicle if he asked you to?

[David Lowenstein]

A good question, and one that I spend more time than I probably should, thinking about.

I have many strongly-held views about the expanding encroachment of the law enforcement and governmental security apparatus on our private lives and public spaces, which has accelerated post 9/11.  I'm also sensitive to the fact that the average street officer has a difficult and dangerous job that warrants a certain amount of latitude in handling a given traffic stop.  And I'm old enough to have learned the hard way that discretion is often the better part of valor.

What that all means in answer to your question is, yes, I'd let him look around, and if I think he (or others in positions of authority) is over-reaching, I make a formal complaint up the proverbial chain-of-command.  And I vote (however minimal the value of that is for we residents of DC  ).

Dave

[extra330]

Interesting.

In the past I've always had the opinion that I've not anything to hide so whats the harm letting LEO have a  look around. Lately however I've come to the conclusion that unless we exercise our Constitutional rights, those rights will just continue to be pecked away little bit by little bit. I think the FreeStaters in NH have the right Idea. 

Personally I'd never give permission for anyone to search my home or vehicle without a valid search warrant.

clearly a topic for another thread, thanks for reply.

Mike

[ducati culture]

Interesting.

In the past I've always had the opinion that I've not anything to hide so whats the harm letting LEO have a  look around. Lately however I've come to the conclusion that unless we exercise our Constitutional rights, those rights will just continue to be pecked away little bit by little bit. I think the FreeStaters in NH have the right Idea.  

Personally I'd never give permission for anyone to search my home or vehicle without a valid search warrant.

clearly a topic for another thread, thanks for reply.

Mike

Wow
Agreed  keep the forth amendment alive !!!!!. there is no virtual crime or drug  

[venomousr1993]

I got pulled over last March bringing the S4R up to DucPond on 66 by State Police.  They said I had a rag fly out the back of the truck that I had wrapped around the frame/forks to prevent the straps from making any marks.  He asked if I had paperwork on the bike since I took the tag off...I showed him the plate which I had in the truck.  I have GA tags on everything..he came back and gave me a ticket for littering.  He gave me some hassle for having a glock in the truck...I had my GA CCW, but did not have a VA one yet.  In court the Judge asked what kind of bike it was...I told him a Ducati.  He said "Ohhh those are nice bikes and threw out the ticket.

[ducrider45]

I got pulled over in DC with a completely disassembled Monster 900ie in the back of my old Subaru outback. Cop stopped me because my car was riding low in the back. He asked about the bike and I told him about my project. As it turns out, he is a friend of my brother in law and I see him on our poker nights now. Cool dude. He always brings me some new kind of beer each time we play.